Travel Do's and Don'ts: Nairobi and London

July 1, 2009

If you're looking for a country with a bit of everything, Kenya could be your perfect destination. It has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, from white sand beaches to wild grasslands, coral reefs to mountains and deserts that stretch across the glorious landscape. Or if city life is more your speed, you will find a plethora of nightclubs, restaurants and bars in the lively capital of Nairobi.

Nairobi, Kenya

DO... Make sure you visit Kenya's Coast. Kenya is most well-known for its incredible wildlife, but did you know it also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world? From the historic Swahili town of Lamu on the North coast to the city of Mombasa in the South, Kenya's coastland boasts sand as white as sugar and some of the best seafood in the world.

DO... Try traditional Kenyan food. You can't leave Kenya without having had a meal of nyama choma, which literally means "barbequed meat" in Swahili, Kenya's local language. The dish can be chicken or beef, but the best and most common nyama is made from goat. At most nyama choma restaurants there's a butchery on site, and customers can choose their cut of meat (I recommend the ribs, definitely the tastiest part). For sides, choose Ugali – a thick maize dish that's a Kenyan staple, chips (or French fries as we know them) and kachambari, a salad made of tomatoes and onions. Top it off with the local Tusker brew and you've had an authentic and delicious Kenyan meal.

DO... Drive across the country. You can fly from the capital city of Nairobi to the city of Kisumu on Lake Victoria, but if you can spare the time take the six-hour drive and experience the true beauty of Kenya -- you'll see the best of the Great Rift Valley, often considered the cradle of humanity. You'll drive through Kericho, an area of rolling hills of tea farms so vividly green it seems like the entire scene is in Technicolor. You can even pull over and talk to some of the tealeaf pickers. Kenya produces more black tea than any other country in the world. By the time you reach the magnificent shores of Lake Victoria you'll be overwhelmed by the vast beauty of the nation. One caveat: If you've never been to Kenya, it's more enjoyable to hire a local and let them do the driving.

DO... Check out Nairobi's nightlife. Tourists are often surprised at the abundance of clubs, restaurants and bars in Nairobi. There's a little something for everyone -- upscale nightclubs, dive bars, world-class Indian food and Italian restaurants run by Italian immigrants. Unlike most of the nightclubs in the U.S., bars and clubs stay open until sunrise with people dancing the night away.